Installation aligning bridge



July 6, 1965 J. GUYANT INSTALLATION ALIGNING BRIDGE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1963 1 v I4 ".3178 H XVII/1 .INVENTOR JOHN L. GUYANT A TTORNE Y July 6, 1965 Filed Sept. 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a w LO Q 3% g g Q g 3% s was (2 INVENTOR. Lg g 7 JOHN L.GUYANT Q fZLw/ ATTOR/VE Y United States Patent 3,193,317 INSTALLATION ALlGNlN-G BRIDGE John L. Guyant, San Jose, Calif. Filed Sept. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 319,084 Claims. (Cl. 294-67) (Filed under Rule 47(1)) and 35 U.S.C. 118) This invention relates to equipment handling fixtures, and more particularly, to such a device for lifting, installing and aligning a large object with respect to an associated structure.

In the construction of Polaris type vessels, it is necessary to install and align missile launching equipment including large launcher tubes that weigh up to 20,000 pounds. The prior methods proposed were not acceptable for one or more of the following reasons; the systems were too intricate; lack or reliability; instability; and placement, use an removal of handling equipment was difficult, especially since access areas are limited. The hazard of handling large heavy equipment by unstable systems is great, and the safety to personnel is of prime importance.

The present invention provides a bridge for lifting, installing, and aligning large objects, such as launching tubes, in an associated structure without the disadvantages heretofore enumerated. The device consists of a frame weldment having on one side means for attaching to a lifting mechanism, such as a crane. A clamping ring is suspended from the other side of the frame by a plurality of jack screws in self-aligning bearings which permit vertical and horizontal movement of the clamping ring in relation to the frame; the clamping ring having depending lugs for clamping the launcher tube thereto. The frame and suspended tube is adapted to rest on an adjusting ring rotatably supported on an adapter ring, the latter being supported on the associated structure,

such as the outer. tube of the Polaris launch mechanism.

Adjusting means are provided for rotating the adjusting ring in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the launcher tube. Other adjustments may be provided between the bridge components of the bridge for alignment pllfpOSeS.

One object of this invention is to provide a fixture of the like for lifting, installing, and aligning a large object with respect to an associated structure.

Another object is to provide such a fixture for a tubular object which allows accessibility to the core of the object while being supported by the fixture.

Still other objects are to provide a means for lifting, installing, and aligning objects having a minimum of accessibility; and which is reliable and safe.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of the novel bridge fixture supporting a missile launching tube in an outer tube;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembly in FIG 1; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views taken along lines III-Ill and IVIV, respectively, of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawing where like reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a bridge assembly for lifting and/ or aligning a large object, such as a launcher tube 12, for assembly within an associated structure, such as an outer tube 14, secured to an outer door locking ring mounted in a Polaris type vessel, not shown.

The alignment bridge comprises a bridge frame 16 Bdhidl? Patented July 6, 1965 formed of a weldment of I beams and arranged in an ticular number of sides is not critical being a matter of manufacturing expediency. Thecore opening 17 in the frame is preferably larger than the diameter of launcher tube 12 to permit accessibility therein for aligning equipment, not shown.

A plurality of spaced lifting eyes 18 are welded to the frame top to enable lifting the structure by means of a crane or the like, not shown. Two pair of handling eyes 19 are provided on two sides of the frame to hold the assembly in position during its attachment to the launcher tube while the tube is resting in a horizontal position, such as on a shipping-storage cradle, not shown.

The frame is constructed with four vertical tubular bosses 29 through which freely pass jack screws 22 for supporting a clamping ring 24 which engages the top side of launcher tube flange 26. Self aligning bearings 25 are provided between the head of screws 22 and the clamping ring to permit a vertical and horizontal movement of the clamping ring relative to the frame for adjustment purposes. Suspended from clamping ring 24 by bolts 28 are eight peripherally spaced lugs 30 each having a shoulder 32 to abut the lower side of flange 26, the launcher tube flange capable of being clamped between the clamping ring 24 and the lugs. Each lug 30 is mated to clamping ring 24 by a chain 31 to avoid loss when the bridge is disconnected from the launcher tube. When the bridge is being used to lift and support the launcher tube, the frame, clamping ring, and tube remain clamped together as an integral unit.

Launcher tube 12 is supported for installation within the outer tube 14 through bridge 16 by means of an adapter ring assembly 34 which includes an adapter ring 36. Ring 36 has a larger diameter than inner diameter of outer tube 14 to be seated on the top edge of the latter by means of segments 38 made of Micarta or the like bolted to the underside of adapter ring 36. Depending from the adapter ring are spaced integral vertical projections 4t) through which are mounted horizontal centering screw 42, the heads of which are disposed radially inward so that the opposite ends thereof engage the bore surface of the outer tube for centering the adapter ring in azimuth with respect to the outer tube. A side wall of the adapter ring is provided with apertures 43 for gaining access to clamping lugs 30.

An adjusting ring 44, generally is co-extensive with adapter ring 36, is rotatably supported on the upper face thereof through eight Micarta bearing shoes 46, the inner edge of the ring 4-4 having a downwardly extending flange '48) Flange 48 is adapted to be abutted by four spaced positioning screws 50 mounted on clamping ring 24 (FIGS. 1 and 3) for positioning launcher tube 12 within outer tube 14.

The entire clamped assembly of frame 16, clamping ring 24, and launcher tube 12 rests on adjusting ring 44 by means of eight support blocks 52 welded or otherwise secured to the underside of frame 16, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Adjustment of the clamped assembly in azi- 'muth around the longitudinal axis of the tubes is accomfitting slots 56 over lugs 54-. Lift the two rings together.

and place then on top of outer tube 14. Match a zerodegree scribe line of adapter ring 36 with the athwart'ship center line of the outer tube. Center the ring on the outer tube with four centering screws 42. Secure frame 16 and clamping ring 24 to launcher tube flange 26. v 7

Before lifting the launcher tube assembly, the nuts on jack screws 22 should be tightened to make the assembly rigid. Thereafter the tube is lifted, preferably at both ends by two cranes, and carefully lowered into the outer tube maintaining approximate azimuthal alignment. In the alignment procedure, the details of which form no part of the present invention, an alignment cylinder having associated optical equipment is lowered into launcher tube 12 through the bridge to establish the vertical center here of the launcher tube and the launcher tube azimuth datum line.

The present invention provides a simple fixture for handling large objects, such as missile launcher tubes, in a safe and expedient manner. The fixture enables the object to be first lifted and installed in a supporting structure, and then aligned therein with a plurality of different adjustments. The fixture is so configured as to .permit accessibility to the object for the alignment procedure.

Obviosuly many .modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood, that within .the scope of the appended'claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim: f 1. A device for lifting and aligning a tubular object having a longitudinal axis in relationto a vertically positioned associated structure comprising:

1 (a) a frame having means for attachment to a lifting mechanism; (b) a clamping ring adapted to engage one edge surface of the tubular object;

(o) a plurality of spaced lugs depending from said clamping ring and adapted to engage an oppositely facing clamping surface of the tubular ob ect to se cure said tubular object therebetween;

V V (d) a' plurality of jack screws spaced around the longi tudinal axis .of the objectand extending parallel thereto with respective ends secured to the frame and V the clamping ring;

(e) said jack screws capable of permitting longitudinal (b) said frame being annular and having an unrestricted core portion; I V (0) means for clamping onto an end of said object;

sitioning the tubular object transversely the associated structure;

(h) means for rotating the frame and the object supported thereby with respect to annular member about the longitudinal axis;

(i) whereby the object can belifted by the frame and aligned with respect to the associated structure.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the annular member has adjusting screws for transversely positioning the annular member within the supporting structure.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the adjusting means includes a ring positioned between the frame and the annular member.

5. A device for lifting and aligning a flanged tubular .object having 'a longitudinal axis in telescopic relation within a vertically positioned tubular supporting structure comprising: I

(a) an annular frame having an open core for access to the core of said tubular object;

(b) said frame having means for attachment to a lifting mechanism; 7 a

'(c) a clamping ring adapted to 'engage'a top side to the flange of said tubular object;

7 (d) a plurality of 'lugs depending from said clamping (h) an adjusting ring movably supported on the adapter ring;

(i) threaded means for moving the adjusting ring with respect to the adapter ring about the longitudinal axis;

(j) threaded means extending transversely between the clamping ring and the'adjusting ring for moving laterally theclamping ring in relation to the frame;

(k) threaded means extending'between the frame and the adjusting ring for changing the laterally relation 7 of the respective parts; V

(1) whereby the object can be lifted and adjustably installed in the supporting structure in a predetermined aligned position. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/52 Rose.

SAMUEL F. COLEMAN, Prirriary Examiner. ERNEST A. FALLER, Examiner, 

1. A DEVICE FOR LIFTING AND ALIGNING A TUBULAR OBJECT HAVING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS IN RELATION TO A VERTICALLY POSITIONED ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) A FRAME HAVING MEANS FOR ATTACHMENT TO A LIFTING MECHANISM; (B) A CLAMPING RING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE ONE EDGE SURFACE OF THE TUBULAR OBJECT; (C) A PLURALITY OF SPACED LUGS DEPENDING FROM SAID CLAMPING RING AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE AN OPPOSITELY FACING CLAMPING SURFACE OF THE TUBULAR OBJECT TO SECURE SAID TUBULAR OBJECT THEREBETWEEN; (D) A PLURALITY OF JACK SCREWS SPACED AROUND THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE OBJECT AND EXTENDING PARALLEL THERETO WITH RESPECTIVE ENDS SECURED TO THE FRAME AND THE CLAMPING RING; (E) SAID JACK SCREWS CAPABLE OF PERMITTING LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE MOVEMENT OF THE CLAMPING RING IN RELATIVE TO THE FRAME; (F) WHEREBY THE OBJECT MAY BE LIFTED BY THE FRAME AND ALIGNED IN POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE ASSOCIATED STRUCTURE. 